No USC football players on All-Pac-12 first team for 2018

USC football had zero players make the All-Pac-12 first team for 2018, with five second team selections including Cameron Smith and Iman Marshall.

Not that more proof of USC football’s struggles in 2018 was needed, but the release of the All-Pac-12 squad put the underachievement of the Trojans in perspective.

The Trojans had no selections on this year’s All-Pac-12 first team. That’s the first time since 2000 and just the fifth time since 1922 USC failed to have a first team representative, according to Joey Kaufman of the OC Register.

Moreover, USC has just five second team selections, including defensive linemen Porter Gustin and Jay Tufele, linebacker Cameron Smith, defensive back Iman Marshall and offensive tackle Chuma Edoga.

More from Reign of Troy

• Markese Stepp enters transfer portal intending to leave USC football
• USC football’s Alijah Vera-Tucker declares for NFL Draft
• USC football adds Xavion Alford as transfer from Texas
• USC Podcast: RoT Radio Ep. 396 on the Football Season’s Fallout
• Talanoa Hufanga named Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year, USC football with five first-teamers

Marshall’s second-team selection is arguably the Trojans biggest snub. Marshall had an excellent senior season, shutting down many of the conference’s toughest receivers. As a result, he faced few targets and didn’t rack up the kind of stats many others did. He had no interceptions and nine passes broken up. A first team selection would not have been unwarranted.

Gustin led USC with seven sacks, good for third in the Pac-12, despite playing in just six games, so the recognition for his injury-diminished senior season feels worthy.

Smith missed two games with injury but still posted 81 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, a sack and four pass break ups. His senior season didn’t come with the All-American accolades he hoped for, but he still proved to be one of USC’s best defenders.

Tufele had two of the more memorable plays of the year when he blocked a kick against Washington State and returned a fumble for a touchdown against Utah. He totaled 23 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, three sacks and two QB hurries.

SEE MORE: Five best moments of USC’s 2018 season

Edoga dealt with injuries throughout the campaign, but was still one of USC’s most reliable offensive linemen.

Honorable mentions for the Trojans included defensive backs Ajene Harris and Marvell Tell, center Toa Lobendahn and wide receivers Michael Pittman and Tyler Vaughns.